#TASTEOFSINGERISLAND
TO
#MARINALIFESTYLE
RIVIERA BEACH WELCOME TO RIVIERA BEACH
MAYOR THOMAS MASTERS, BRUCE A. GUYTON, JUDY L. DAVIS, CEDRICK A.THOMAS, DISTRICT 1
DISTRICT 2
DISTRICT 3
DAWN S. PARDO, TERRANCE TD. DAVIS, RUTH C. JONES ,DANNY JONES DISTRICT 4
DISTRICT 5
CITY MANAGER
DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
“Making a Better Riviera Beach” W W W. R I V I E R A B C H . C O M
TO
RIVIERA BEACH WELCOME TO RIVIERA BEACH
MAYOR THOMAS MASTERS, BRUCE A. GUYTON, JUDY L. DAVIS, CEDRICK A.THOMAS, DISTRICT 1
DISTRICT 2
DISTRICT 3
DAWN S. PARDO, TERRANCE TD. DAVIS, RUTH C. JONES ,DANNY JONES DISTRICT 4
DISTRICT 5
CITY MANAGER
DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
“Making a Better Riviera Beach”
#BeachLife W W W. R I V I E R A B C H . C O M
features
5 Top Diving and Snorkeling Destination 7 The Life of Paris Singer 17 Island Inspirations 22 Combat Aging 31 Kennedy's Bunker 32 Sun Safety
WAYS TO CONNECT
WITH US
Letter from the Publisher Welcome to the Taste of Singer Island Magazine! This venture is an expression of my passion for the Singer Island Lifestyle. I am confident that each person who reads this magazine will come to share my love for the remarkable people, breathtaking marine life, quaint shops, dining, and impressive resorts of Singer Island, one page at a time. With Singer Island’s rich history and progressive future, we are at the perfect time to experience the beauty of it together, for the gem that it is – a true hidden treasure. This issue features an article about the life of Paris Eugene Singer, after whom the island was named. You will be introduced to our ‘Island Inspirations’; shaping history and making the City of Rivera Beach better, everyday. Visitors to our area will appreciate an article featuring Phil Foster Park, “one of the best dive sites in the world” and President Kennedy’s Hidden Bunker now a museum and historic site. We are fortunate to enjoy year-round tropical weather while boating, biking, fishing or relaxing on the beach – you will find a write-up on how to stay safe under the soothing rays of the sun and proactive ways to combat aging. This is just the beginning! I look forward to sharing even more exciting stories with you in the coming issues. The Taste of Singer Island Magazine aims to celebrate the luxury, living and lifestyle of Singer Island. Feel free to share with me your thoughts.
Taste of Singer Island 2655 N Ocean Drive Suite #304 Singer Island, Florida 33404
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CEO & PUBLISHER
BEETHOVEN FRANCOIS EDITOR
MARCHELLE FRANCOIS VISUAL DIRECTOR
OLIVER J. GRAPHIC DESIGNER
JASON SMITH
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
TRACY THOMAS KEMOY SUTHERLAND EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY
JASON WALLACE
EVENT COORDINATOR
JENICE STALLINGS
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS JAMES DOWNS, DR. SARIT J. LEVY, ERIN SMITH, MICHELLE KUNZ, DREA HILL
SPECIAL THANKS JOHN WILLIAMS, DRAGA LINDBLOM AND MARTHA LEE The Taste of Singer Island Magazine is published 6 times per year. The contents of this publication are fully protected and may not be reproduced, in whole or part, without written permission. Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER send address changes to: Taste of Singer Island Magazine, 2655 North Ocean Drive Suite #304, Singer Island, FL 33404.
WELCOME TO RIVIERA BEACH
MAYOR THOMAS MASTERS BRUCE A. GUYTON JUDY L. DAVIS CEDRICK A.THOMAS DISTRICT 1
DAWN S. PARDO TERENCE TD. DAVIS DISTRICT 4
DISTRICT 5
DISTRICT 2
RUTH C. JONES CITY MANAGER
DISTRICT 3
DANNY JONES
DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
Riviera Beach is the best waterfront city in which to live, work and play. W W W. R I V I E R A B C H . C O M
tonY ratH
Diver Magazine for good reason--600 tons of rock were used to assemble the artificial reef, which is part of an exciting snorkel trail.
Phil Foster Park Top Diving and Snorkeling Destination
P
hil Foster Park in Riviera Beach, Fl is world renown as a diving and snorkeling destination and is something every diver who visits Singer Island, Florida should experience. The Blue Heron Bridge was chosen in 2013 as the best dive site in the world by PADI’s Sport
Few dive sites in the world give you the option to dive when the weather turns for the worst.
The snorkel trail is made of limestone boulders and spans a two-acre area in six to ten feet of water. Visitors will discover amazing tropical fish such as jellyfish, eel, octopus, starfish, seahorse and pipefish. Phil Foster Park also has the area’s best spots for diving. The beauty and diversity of its marine life has universal appeal and it has become one of Florida’s top dive destinations.
Phil Foster Park has a picnic area with grills and well as four picnic shelters. Children have two play areas for their recreational use and restrooms and shower facilities are available. Phil Foster Park didn’t forget about boating. For boaters there are four boat-launching ramps. These ramps can be accessed 24 hours a day. There is a ten-dollar daily parking permit for boat trailers. Boaters are able to travel the lovely Intracoastal waterway to other locations.
The Blue Heron Bridge dive brings a number of visitors to the area each year. The Blue Heron Bridge is considered a perfect location for beginners to advanced divers. There is also a designated pier for saltwater fishing.
The beautiful Phil Foster Park is open from sunrise to sunset. After a day at the park you will rave that Phil Foster Park is truly a top diving and snorkeling destination.
Diving the Blue Heron Bridge is a simple and FREE beach shore dive. The deepest depth you’ll find at the bridge is just over 20 feet. A one and a half to two hour dive is the norm here. Best of all, no matter what the weather is like out on the open ocean, the Blue Heron Bridge is still accessible for diving, thanks to its location in the protected Intracoastal Waterway.
Brief History Phil Foster was considered a “pioneer” citizen in Riviera Beach. He was the owner of one of the area’s first tourist courts. He lived in the area for 32 years prior to his death in 1917. The park was opened and dedicated in his memory in January 1953.
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EVENTS
Riviera Beach Marina FUNDRAISING E VENT
ISAAC MERRITT SINGER
SINGER SEWING MACHINE TITAN
I
saac Merritt Singer (1811-75), founder of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. An enormously wealthy man, Isaac was nonetheless of humble origins; he was born in Johnsonville, a tiny hamlet in Rensselaer County, New York, and in his early years was more interested in acting with companies of itinerant performers than he was in the family machine trade. He founded his own troupe, ‘The Merritt Players,’ with money received from a machine patent in 1839, but gradually began applying his flair for showmanship and advertising to the world of commercial business. By popularising his sewing machines and making them easier for households to obtain, he achieved massive sales and began opening
Singer factories across the world to meet the demand. This physical drive and charisma also resulted in a complex domestic life. Over three decades, Singer fathered around two dozen children by five different women. Disgraced by a bigamy charge in 1862, he left America for Europe, only to abandon his then-wife for Isobelle Eugenie Boyce Somerville in Paris. They married in June 1865. Isobelle was a well-known society beauty, whose face - it is said - was used by French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi as his model for the Statue of Liberty. TASTEOFSINGERISLAND.COM
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with his mother’s maid Henriette Marais. Their marriage was annulled, and in 1887 he married Australian beauty Lillie Graham by whom he had five children. After coming of age he bought out his brother Washington Singer’s interests in Oldway, to which he added the nearby Redcliffe estate in 1893. Its unusual tower - known as ‘Smith’s Folly’ after its eccentric owner - was converted into a convalescent home for soldiers wounded in the Boer War, then adapted into the luxurious Redcliffe Hotel. Meanwhile, the mansion at Oldway underwent a series of lavish decorations and extensions, with the ceiling painting alone taking six years to complete. The opulent blend of coloured marble, gilt panelling, mirrors and parquet floors remains stunning to this day. Passionately Francophile, Singer modelled his reconstruction on the Palace of Versailles. It was therefore fitting that Paris was the setting for his first meeting with dancer Isadora Duncan (1877-1927).
N
by James Downs
Singer was to play a huge role in Duncan’s personal life and professional career, but her early life had been in stark contrast with his. Born Angela Isadora Duncan in San Francisco, the youngest of four children, she was three when their father abandoned the family after a banking scandal. Isadora’s schooling was scant, partly from lack of money, partly from choice. Always a free spirit, her love of dance manifested itself at an early age, but in unusual forms: seeking out deserted beaches or woodlands glades she would dance alone to her own rhythms. The Duncans earned money from music lessons, dance classes and family performances, given by Isadora and her sister Elizabeth with their mother on piano. Between dances their brother Raymond read from Greek classics. As Isadora’s dancing developed, so too did her passion for ancient Greece, influencing her preference for simple robes and barefoot dancing.
Named after the city where he was born on 20 November 1867, Paris Eugene Singer was Isaac’s third son and (probably) his 23rd child. When Paris was two, the Singers fled to England to escape the Franco-Prussian War. Isaac purchased Fernham estate in Paignton, near Torquay, where the foundation stone of a new 115-room residence named Oldway was laid in May 1873. A circular pavilion was also erected, with banqueting hall, stables and pool, amid twenty acres of landscaped gardens. Just as Oldway’s interior neared completion, Isaac Singer died Her vision of ‘the dance’ differed from the on 23 July 1875. He was buried in Torquay a week later, leaving only two forms then recognised – ballet and music a fortune of around $13,000,000. hall – but, needing an entry, she joined Augustine Although orphaned at the age of seven, Paris Singer Daly’s theatre company. One tour took her to inherited much of his father’s character along with a weekly England where she performed for the first time in income of $15,000 from interest alone. Standing at 6’3” with October 1897. Unsatisfied, however, she left Daly’s golden curls and beard, he cut a striking figure. After studying troupe and travelled to Paris and she quickly made medicine, chemistry and engineering at Cambridge, he eloped her mark 8
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in the Parisian salons, including that of the Prince and Princesse de Polignac, which was frequented by avant garde composers and writers including Debussy, Satie and Proust. The Princesse was in fact the sister of Paris Singer, Winnaretta, who had married Prince Edmond de Polignac in 1893. Isadora and Paris first met following the death of the prince in August 1901. Isadora was by now an international figure, based in Germany and known throughout Europe from her performances and lectures, with a reputation as a passionate and unconventional spirit. She had toured Hungary, Italy and Russia as well as her beloved Greece, where she delved deep into archives and libraries to seek out musical manuscripts. She learnt German and read philosophers such as Nietzsche in their original language. In December 1904 she met actor and designer Edward
After cruising the Nile they returned to France for the birth of Patrick Augustus on 1 May 1910. That summer was spent in Devon where a huge ballroom had been built at Oldway. Despite his extravagant gifts, Singer’s failure to share Isadora’s vision was a frequent cause of friction. Like many wealthy men, he was accustomed to having his own way; there were storms and sulks when his impulsive, temperamental lover danced to her own tune. The romance continued however, and in 1912 Singer bought her a property overlooking the Seine – scene of the greatest tragedy of Isadora’s life. On 19 April 1913 Singer and Duncan met for lunch in Paris. Later, as the chauffeur was driving the two children home with their governess, he stalled and got out to crank the engine. The car restarted on a slope and – before he could get in, it moved off, picking up speed
Gordon Craig (1872-1966) in Berlin. Despite Craig being married, they fell in love and Isadora bore him a daughter named Deirdre in September 1906. When her Grünewald dance school had to close in 1908, she relocated to Paris where she performed triumphantly throughout January and February 1909 at the “Gaité-Lyrique” theatre. It was after one of these shows that Paris Singer appeared at Isadora’s dressing room with the words, ‘I have come to help you. What can I do?’ With riches like his, there was a great deal he could do for her. In her autobiography Isadora called him ‘Lohengrin,’ one of the Knights of the Round Table: but she would learn that this gallant benefactor’s support came at a price. In the meantime, with Singer’s marriage on the rocks, they embarked on a passionate affair. While in Venice in September 1909, she found she was pregnant.
before crossing the Boulevard Bourdon and plunging over a grassy bank into the Seine. Despite desperate attempts by bystanders, all three occupants drowned. Isadora’s grief was beyond words. Probably desperate for another child, she fell pregnant by a young Italian lover, but the infant died in August 1914 while the citizens of Paris prepared for war. Isadora gave her newly-opened school to the Dames de France for use as a military hospital. Singer had Oldway converted for the same purpose, repeating what he had done fourteen years earlier with Redcliffe Towers. Oldway became the American Women’s War Relief Hospital, personally financed by Singer and well-respected: Queen Mary visited in November 1914 just as Isadora sailed for New York.
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Singer had planned great things for Redcliffe, publishing designs for fourteen ‘excellent marine residences’ along the seafront, with further properties by the hotel. Even though he abandoned this scheme and sold most of the estate to Paignton Council in 1913, he retained a parcel of land near Redcliffe Hotel and constructed hangars there in which he could house his two seaplanes. The thrills of early aviation doubtless provided some distraction from the loss of Isadora. When the dancer returned penniless after travelling around Europe and South America, Singer had no difficulty bailing her out again. (Allan Ross Macdougall - his secretary and Isadora’s first biographer - was then receiving a weekly salary of $1000.) Singer’s inability to appreciate her art led to their final quarrel in March 1917 after she refused, in public, his gift of Madison Square Garden. She broke with Singer the same week as the Russian Revolution, on the night of which she ‘danced with a terrible fierce joy.’ Ever-sympathetic with revolutionary spirits, she moved to Moscow at the suggestion of a Russian diplomat who saw her dance in London. Her two years in the Soviet Union included a short, disastrous marriage to Russian poet Sergei Esenin. His drunken rages and violent behaviour hampered her European tour in 1923, foreshadowing the end of their marriage and Esenin’s hospitalization (and untimely death) in a Soviet mental asylum. Early in 1925 Isadora moved to Paris, where she began writing her memoirs, still receiving anonymous financial support from Singer. She died in Nice on 14 September 1927, killed - like her children, in another bizarre motoring accident - when her scarf caught in the wheels of a moving car. Her ashes were placed in Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris, following a funeral attended by thousands. Singer might not have lost Isadora had he not been so determined to possess her, but the end of their relationship did not lead to reconciliation with his wife: in December 1918 he divorced Lily after thirty years of marriage. For tax reasons he took American citizenship and began developing property in Florida - where he had spent the last two winters - purchasing large tracts of land around Palm Beach and Lake Worth. In collaboration with architect Addison Mizner, he embarked on ambitious plans to build convalescent homes for wounded soldiers 10
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- America had just entered the war in April 1918 - as well as an exclusive new waterfront resort, the Everglades Club, at the south end of the island. This opened in early 1919, attracting wealthy members who had been discouraged from travelling to European resorts due to the war. Around the same time he married Joan Balsh, senior nurse of the military hospital at Oldway, with whom he had been living for at least four years. Expansion of the Everglades Club and Palm Beach resort continued through the early 1920s. Club members could enjoy the use of an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, a dedicated bridge room and lavish dining facilities, as well as yachting and fishing. Singer ploughed enormous sums of money – supported by large loans - into a new phase that would include a theatre for the Ziegfeld Follies, a complex of exclusive shops and a new hotel at the north end of the island: the Blue Heron. To support this development, the island’s first bridge was constructed at Sherman’s Point. Opening of the Blue Heron was scheduled for 1926. Despite Singer’s vast wealth, he had overreached himself and was badly hit when the Florida land boom suddenly collapsed. As Singer struggled to weather a wave of financial losses and lawsuits, his island’s troubles were compounded by the hurricanes that swept the area in September 1926 and September 1928, destroying the new bridge and flattening hundreds of buildings. The final end of Singer’s dreams for Palm Beach came with the Wall Street Crash in 1929. The partially built shell of the Blue Heron was abandoned. Singer left Florida for good early in 1930, dividing his time thereafter between Paris, his villa at St Jean, Cap Ferrat, and a houseboat on the Nile, before returning to London where he died in a hotel room on 24 June 1932 at the age of 64. He was buried in the family vault at Torquay. * James Downs is a writer and researcher who lives close to Paris Singer’s properties in Devon, England. For more information, visit his website www.darklanecreative.com or follow him on Twitter @James_AL_Downs.
WEDDINGS
. THEMED PARTIES .
SOCIAL GATHERINGS
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CORPORATE EVENTS
Island recipes
Menu: FRESH FRUIT AND BERRIES MARINATED GRILLED VEGETABLES CHEESE ASSORTMENT TROPICAL JERK CHICKEN VEGETABLE SPRING ROLLS CONCH FRITTERS WITH KEY LIME DIPPING SAUCE COCONUT SHRIMP WITH MANGO CHUTNEY GLAZE
TASTE OF SINGER ISLAND:
Island Recipes
CONCH FRITTERS WITH KEY LIME DIPPING SAUCE MAKE THE DIPPING SAUCE
FOR THE DIPPING SAUCE
island recipes TROPICAL JERK CHICKEN ON A STICK INGREDIENTS -3lb of chicken breast
-6 sliced scotch bonnet peppers -2 Tbsp. thyme -2 Tbsp. ground allspice -8 Cloves garlic, finely chopped -3 Medium onions, finely chopped -2 Tbsp. sugar -2 Tbsp. salt -2 Tsp. ground black pepper -1 to 2 Tsp of ground cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger -1/2 cup olive oil -1/2 cup soy sauce f -Juice from 1 lime -1 cup orange juice
DIRECTIONS
1. Chop the onions, garlic and peppers 2. These do not need to be chopped too fine as they will be liquidized by the blender 3. Blend all of the ingredients (excluding the chicken) in a blender to make the jerk sauce
4. Cut the chicken up in to 4 pieces 5. Rub the sauce in to the meat, saving some for basting and dipping later
6. Leave the chicken in the fridge to marinade overnight 7. Grill the meat slowly until cooked, turning regularly 8. Baste with some of the remaining marinade whilst cooking 9. For best results, cook over a charcoal barbeque (ideally over a rack of pimento wood) 10. Chop each quarter chicken portion in to 5 or 6 smaller pieces using a heavy cleaver 11. Serve with festival and salad or rice and peas or hardo bread and the jerk sauce left over for dipping
4-6 SERVINGS
TIME
12 HOURS PREP TIME 60 MINS COOK TIME
island recipes VEGETABLE SPRING ROLLS INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups mung bean sprouts - 6 dried black mushrooms - 1/2 red bell pepper - 1 medium carrot - 2 ounces canned bamboo shoots - 2 1/2 tablespoons oyster sauce - 1 tablespoon low-sodium chicken broth or water - 2 teaspoons light soy sauce - 1 teaspoon sugar - Salt and/or freshly ground pepper to taste, optional - 18 – 20 spring rolls wrappers - 1 egg, lightly beaten - 2 tablespoons oil for stir-frying - 4 to 5 cups oil for deep-frying, as needed
DIRECTIONS
1. Soak the Chinese dried mushrooms in warm water to soften (20 to 30 minutes) Squeeze any excess water out of the mushrooms and thinly slice,dice the red bell pepper grate the carrot and finely slice the bamboo shoots 2. In a small bowl, combine the oyster sauce, chicken broth or
water, soy sauce and sugar heat 2 tablespoons in a frying pan, swirling so that it coats the pan 3. When the oil is sizzling, stir-fry the vegetables, starting with
the dried mushrooms and then the bamboo shoots, bell pepper, mung bean sprouts and grated carrot 4. Stir in the sauce ingredients (the oyster sauce, chicken broth or water, soy sauce and sugar) 5. Taste and season with salt and/or freshly ground pepper if desired, remove from the heat and cool desi 6. To make the spring rolls, lay a wrapper in front of you so that it forms a diamond shape brush the edges of the wrapper with the lightly beaten egg 7. Place 2 tablespoons of filling in the bottom half, spreading it out sideways to form a rectangle shape but not touching the edges 8. Lift the bottom corner co of the wrapper and tuck it in under the filling fold over the left and right sides of the spring roll wrapper 9. Lightly brush the edges of the top corner of the diamond with the beaten egg mixture, fold over and seal 10. Heat oil for deep-frying to 360 degrees Fahrenheit when the oil is ready, carefully add the spring rolls, a few at a time, cooking until they are golden brown and crispy (3 to 4 minutes) remove and drain on paper towels
20 SERVINGS
TIME
45 MINS PREP TIME 4 MINS COOK TIME
island recipes COCONUT SHRIMP WITH MANGO CHUTNEY GLAZE INGREDIENTS
- FOR COCONUT SHRIMP - 1 egg - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour - 2/3 cup beer - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour - 2 cups flaked coconut - 24 shrimp FOR DIPPING SAUCE - 1/4 cup vegetable oil - 1 cup red onion, diced - 1 cup red bell pepper - 1/2 cup green bell pepper - 1/2 cup orange bell pepper - 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger - 1 -2 tablespoon minced jalapeno pepper - 1 1/2 cups white vinegar - 1 cup white sugar - 3 cups mangoes, cut in 1/2-inch dice
DIRECTIONS
MAKING THE DIPPING SAUCE 1. In a saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat until hot
but not smoking 2. Add red onion, and cook until translucent, 4 to 5 minutes 3. Add green, yellow and red peppers. Stir for 1 minute
24 SERVINGS
TIME
10 MINS PREP TIME 20 MINS COOK TIME
4. Add ginger, jalape単o peppers (if using), white vinegar, white sugar and mangoes 5. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the
liquid has thickened slightly 6. Remove from heat, and allow to cool to room temperature
MAKING THE SHRIMP 1. In medium bowl, combine egg, 1/2 cup flour, beer and baking powder 2. Place 1/4 cup flour and coconut in two separate bowls 3. Hold shrimp by tail, and dredge in flour, shaking off excess d flour, dip in egg/beer batter; allow excess to drip off, roll shrimp in coconut, and place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper, refrigerate for 30 minutes 4. Meanwhile, heat oil to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) in a deep-fryer, fry shrimp in batches: cook, turning once, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown 5. Using tongs, remove shrimp to paper towels to drain 6. Serve warm with dipping sauce
ISLAND
INSPIRATION WRITTEN BY: DREA HILL
PHOTOS BY: OLIVER J
why she moved to Singer Island in September of 1994, Dawn Pardo explains “my husband and I did not want our daughter to grow up in the city.” While looking for homes in Palm Beach Gardens and other areas of the county, they came across and fell in love with Singer Island. “Singer Island afforded us the opportunity to have our child grow up on the beach, it allowed for fishing, water sports and boating; all of the things we loved.” Up until recently, Dawn Pardo has worked in the Financial Market specializing in research, mergers and acquisitions. Though her degree is in Criminal Justice, the investment environment has been her passion for 35 years. Most recently she worked as a Foreign Exchange Trader managing her department which specialized in International Settlements. She is a member of the Palm Beach County Steering Committee and 2nd Vice President of The Palm Beach County League of Cities. Currently, Dawn Pardo is a City of Riviera Beach Council Person whose third term will expire in 2015. Her excitement is infectious when she talks about the great City of Riviera Beach. “There are projects that I’ve started that I’d like to finish.” Take a look around Riviera Beach and you can see all of the things that Pardo has been able to accomplish. She has spearheaded the revitalization of the Riviera Beach Marina and looks forward to the Broadway Corridor being turned into 18
TASTEOFSINGERISLAND.COM
“Marina Mile”. “The City has so much to offer with the fine people in this community, and everyone in this city deserves to live in a city that they can be proud of.”
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Dawn Pardo thinking back on wonderful memories of
DAWN PARDO I THINK I CAN DO ANYTHING, NOTHING SCARES ME
When asked what characteristics every leader should have and what experience has impacted her as a leader, Pardo responds clearly “character and integrity. Elected officials should be held to a higher standard.” As an inner city youth, Dawn Pardo was selected for a summer youth program at the age of thirteen with Youth Corp. in New York City. Her job was with the Public Administrator, who introduced her to the professional world, office environments, and took her to business meetings. “That exposure had a great impact on my life and how I wanted to go through life.” Recalling a difficult time in her life Pardo recounts that the death of her husband and getting into politics was extremely difficult. “I knew I had the leadership capabilities but I was petrified of public speaking, now that I have overcome that I think I can do anything, nothing scares me.”
A STUDENT OF “ I AMLEADERSHIP
“
MIKE SLOSER Mike Sloser
and his wife Joan set out on a two year experiment to see how they would like South Florida before moving to Singer Island permanently in 2006. With the combination of cold weather and climate change in business, the experiment prompted him to leave the New York Metropolitan area and become a full time resident of Singer Island.
As the President of the Community Officers Association of Singer Island, Co-Chair of the Riviera Beach Commission on Social Justice, Treasurer of the Committee for a Better Riviera Beach, Board Member for his Condominium Association and Director of Protect our Beaches , this busy resident shows no signs of leaving Singer Island. When asked what characteristics he thought every leader should possess, Mr. Sloser responded “I am a student of leadership. I think any leader has to care about the issues, has to relate to the people that are involved and has to possibly know more than everybody and yet not be distant or removed from the people.” Mr. Sloser added that Bill Contole and Bob Gonstead are both good leaders because they “care about the community, we work together and we’ve got that ‘old check your ego at the door’ from Quincy Jones back in the 80’s. That’s how we work, It’s just a good environment.” Mr. Sloser recalls that the most difficult thing that he has ever done is “being a father; that’s a hard job, that’s real work. You have to be able to give them values and they see you for what you are: you can’t con them.” As for the future of Singer Island, Mr. Sloser would like to maintain the lifestyle of the island and possibly see an area for large community meetings and get more people involved in the community. TASTEOFSINGERISLAND.COM
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BOB GONSTEAD Bob Gonstead moving from Wisconsin in
1995 to get out of the cold and live in paradise, Bob Gonstead and his wife Carol are living the Singer Island Life. Mr. Gonstead, an insurance consultant specializes in health insurance for individuals, families and businesses. With a financial background, he is able to knowledgeably consult on estate planning and asset protection. Bob Gonstead is on the Board of Directors of the Singer Island Civic Association, a Board Member and Vice Chair of the Committee for a Better Riviera Beach and a Board Member of the Martinique Condominium Association.
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WHERE THERE IS CHALLENGE, THERE IS REWARD.
When asked about the characteristics of a great leader and who has impacted his leadership ability, Mr. Gonstead credits his parents for instilling the qualities of good leadership in him. Qualities 20
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like hard work, dedication and the idea that you can achieve anything you want if you are honest and a hard worker. He feels that great leaders should have the ability to listen and to be compassionate. One of the most difficult times that Mr. Gonstead has had to overcome in his life, was having to watch his parents pass away, which by far pales in comparison to any work-related challenges. When asked about the future of Singer Island, Mr. Gonstead expresses that he would like it to continue to be a safe place to live and to maintain a good quality of life on Singer Island, “which is a beautiful place to live; paradise.” He explains that as a resident of Singer Island he is a part of Riviera Beach and “all of us have a responsibility, a duty to make the community in which we reside in- not just our own neighborhood- a better place to live.”
KETCH ME IF YOU CAN! By: DR. SARIT J. LEVY,
As the sun shines down on Singer Island, so does the view from the famous Ketch restaurant located at the Hilton Hotel. Taunting residents and tourists alike with warm beaches and fresh fare is what a Hilton dining experience is about. Sweet sugar cane shrimp with a zing of cilantro lime mojo captures the essence of Singer Island; bold, sweet, and spicy. Only a select few Palm Beachers’ know and appreciate Ketch’s style of the infamous conch chowder, chowde and the perfectly seasoned, tender black and blue rib eye. The real pleasure in dining a la Hilton is Michael Rochester, Restaurant Supervisor and the wait staff that caters to your every whim. With a concierge to arrange your reservations 24 hours a day, a smile forms from every patron as they are greeted by hospitalit their incredulous thirst for hospitality. Sit poolside during your stay and enjoy lite fare such as the mozzarella caprese, always a favorite, or take in the fresh smell of the ocean as you taste ahi tuna seared, sexy, and succulent accompanied by a waikeme salad. The eager wait and bar staff from Ketch will be delighted to bring you one of their signature drinks as you lay basking in the sun. The service is impeccable. ‘Ketch’ a reservation if you can to dine in with a loved one for a special occasion; there is no moment too spectacular to celebrate at this seaside bistro. After devouring the seafood delight pasta dish comprised of juicy lobster, moist and mouth-watering shrimp, and scallops only a deep blue fisherman would be proud to serve, revel what’s left of the arugula lemon wine sauce as it rolls around on your tongue like a 100 year old glass of
Chianti. When you’ve retired from the delectable flavors of your feast, be sure to grab the perfect cigar and your loved one’s arm to stroll along the sandy shores. Plush pillows and inviting scents from their complementary toiletries and spotless housecleaning service will remind you that a night of long awaited rest and pillow talk awaits. Do not run away just yet, as the explosion of Ketch’s dessert mousse and crème’ brule, will transport you back to a time of incandescent affinity for your dearest. Bring the epic delectable nuance of sweets to your room where you reside and enjoy it in the crisp, clean sheets of your plush bedding. Lastly, let the concierge know of your plans for your excursions the next day or the on-time service you require to head back home. Either, a simple call will notify them to be at your beckon with all reservations in check. Top off this sensational foodie experience with a Coconut Joe frozen beverage, and a new invitation to come back at the front desk with Toblerone Chocolates and fresh produce to satisfy your cravings as you await your chariot. Let it be a reminder to begin the vacation all over again... as if it never ended. DR. SARIT J. LEVY is a Renowned Published Writer and Author
By Erin Smith
M
any spend a lot of money on anti-aging products; procedures and devices to find either they barely work and have lost their shirts paying outrageous prices for them as well. No one will refute the results of more invasive surgical and non-surgical procedures such as Botox, Juvederm, Sculptra and skin laser resurfacing. These products produce results but can put a large hole in your pocket and they must be repeated. You can take a lot of proactive measures at any age to keep yourself ahead of the aging process and save endless trips to your plastic surgeon or local Med-Spa. It’s no mystery that excessive sun exposure leads to premature wrinkles and sunspots. Wearing sunscreen is common knowledge, knowing how to use it most effectively is important. Wear sunscreen all year round, even in the winter. The sun’s rays are still affecting your skin even if they’re not strong enough to burn or tan your skin. The effects of UVA and UVB rays are cumulative and still impacting with your skin negatively. Choose a sunscreen with at least 15 SPF, however 30 SPF is better. Any SPF higher than 30 is a bit of overkill unless you are spending the entire day unexposed to the sun’s rays. Put sunscreen on face, neck, chest and top of hands especially. Not only does skin become visibly aged on the face, but especially on neck and hands. General rule; if the sun can hit it, put sunscreen on it. You should wear sunglasses when outdoors all year round. Wear ones of good quality and large enough that they cover most of your eye area to prevent sun exposure. They are a physical barrier between the sun and your skin. The skin on and around the eyes is extremely delicate and susceptible to wrinkling easily. Sunglasses eliminate crow’s feet brought on by squinting in bright light. Another advantage sunglasses provide is cataract prevention; another cumulative effect of the sun’s damage on the eye lens often seen in older adults. It is essential to get enough sleep regularly. Sleep rejuvenates skin and eliminates many toxins from the body. While many sources claim a specific time limit on how much sleep to get daily, let your own body determine how much is enough for you. If you feel drained, you most likely need more. You must begin by getting enough sleep, even if it means you have to cut back on a few other things to get it. Sometimes, it may be unavoidable to not get enough sleep, but you must try not to make that a regular habit. 22
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If you smoke, you must quit if you don’t want to age poorly. Quitting can be tough but it can be done if you want to do it. A smoker’s skin can be spotted easily with grey-ish, yellow undertones, fine lines and dryness. Smoking decimates the skin by depriving it of oxygen and sufficient circulation. It also breaks down collagen underneath the skin causing it to sag. It also stains the teeth making you look older and can cause tooth loss. Yellow and brown stained teeth and tooth loss yells “Old”! Whether you like it or not, you have to exercise regularly. It literally is a fountain of youth. It keeps your skin glowing, your body in more youthful form and keeps your attitude and appearance more youthful. You will have more endurance and strength reminiscent of your younger days. Exercise is a time machine than can turn back the hands of time. We’re all aware time can be cruel on our bodies. If you don’t exercise regularly or not at all, begin slowly. Realistic goals will keep you consistent and motivated. Watch the ”younger you” slowly emerge. Staying hydrated with water daily will take years off your skin as well. Water flushes out impurities in the body plumps up sagging dry skin. Squeeze fresh lemons into your water for added flavor and a kick of vitamin C. The added vitamin C will assist in building collagen underneath the skin to keep it supple. Water is your best bet for hydration and keep in mind caffeinated beverages are diuretics that pull hydration and fluids out of the body. Alcohol will dehydrate the body as well so drink it in moderation. Let go of as much stress and negativity as possible to stave off adding extra years to your appearance and increase your longevity. It weighs you down and depletes many vital nutrients (particularly B vitamins) from the body. Stress can throw hormones that keep our bodies functioning normally completely off balance. Hormones, when not balanced correctly can lead to hair loss, weight gain, insomnia, etc. All of those alone can make you look older as mentioned earlier. Combat stress in appropriate ways that are healthy and constructive. Practicing meditation, exercising, getting involved in a hobby or interest, vacationing, talking to friends are all examples of constructive ways to eliminate some of that age-zapping stress. It’s always easier to prevent than cure or correct problems down the road. If you remain proactive and treat your body as your best friend, it will return the favor and keep you looking and feeling your best. Stop aging yourself and begin to halt the aging assault on yourself. If you work diligently enough, you can actually be in better shape now than you were 10 years ago.
MAYOR JOHN WORKMAN is a lifelong resident of Singer Island. After his birth at Good Samaritan Hospital, his mother brought him home to Singer Island. His maternal grandparents, who hold a significant place in his heart, owned a condominium at the Phoenix Towers; this is where Mr. Workman spent the first six years of his life. Having lived on Singer Island and now in Palm Beach Shores, Mr. Workman confides that he decided to stay in Palm Beach County because “my jobs were here, my friendships were here and my life was here.” He attended Palm Beach Atlantic University in Downtown West Palm Beach and later served his country working for the United States Secret Service for nearly five years. Mr. Workman developed a passion for public service in his high school years. At age 16 he would attend town commission meetings in his spare time, he became fascinated with everything to do with government. His late grandfather, Cosby Crews, served as Mayor for the City of South Bay; the westernmost municipality in the South Florida Metropolitan area. When President Richard Nixon died, his death gained national publicity; the presidency was in the spotlight for all to see. Those factors contributed to Mr. Workman recognizing his interest and passion for public service. He has fond memories of his work with the United States Secret Service “There is nothing like being on the tarmac when Air Force One lands and the President of the United States gets off and you see the might and majesty of a great nation, that was a great experience with a great agency.” The Federal Hatch Act would have prohibited Workman from engaging in any partisan political activity and so he decided to leave. In 2001, John accepted an offer to return to Palm Beach Atlantic University to serve as the Assistant Director of Development. In Workman’s current position at his alma mater, Jupiter Christian School, he serves as an
Administrator and Chief Development Officer. In this role, John oversees the school’s multimillion dollar campus redevelopment capital campaign; he also oversees government, media and community relations on behalf of the school. Additionally, in 2009 Workman became the fourteenth Mayor for the Town of Palm Beach Shores, providing leadership and oversight for the Town’s day-to-day operations.
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WISDOM SETS THE TONE FOR GREAT LEADERSHIP
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John Workman
Outside of the political, educational and non-profit work that he does for a living, Workman serves on the Leadership Advisory Board for Place of Hope; a foster care facility that provides homes for abused and neglected children in the State of Florida and is based in Palm Beach County. When asked what characteristic he thought every leader should have, Workman replied “Wisdom. The Bible teaches that King Solomon was rewarded when he asked the Lord for wisdom. Wisdom sets the tone for great leadership and good leaders who have wisdom will be good listeners, just in their decision making and put others above themselves.” He goes on to say “My Grandfather was a good leader and I hold him in high regard. He was dedicated, hardworking- passionate about what he did; loved people and when he had the opportunity, he gave back in service.” When recalling something difficult that he has experienced, Workman digs deep before sharing a personally challenging event when, at age 24, he searched for and wrote a letter to his father whom he had never met. “It was a sobering and life changing decision.” His father responded in love and excitement and they continue to grow their relationship. “It’s a good thing and it had great return TASTEOFSINGERISLAND.COM
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Marie Davis has been a long time resident of Palm Beach County. Davis moved to Singer Island in 1996 when she married her husband, Zell Davis. Originally she was a legal assistant and then became the Executive Director of the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League; it’s the oldest humane society in Palm Beach County. Mrs. Davis began chairing the Animal Rescue Leagues Christmas Ball; she has also done some community relations for the League. When she began her work with the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League she admits “I was afraid of dogs and did not like cats. I started to understand the animal human companion bond and that helped me through a lot of grief, I became an animal lover.” Davis worked with the Animal Rescue League until 2004 and she then started to slowly get involved with Singer Island. Currently Marie Davis is the President of the Palm Beach Republican Club which finances the largest GOP action center and victory headquarters in Central Palm Beach County and is also a member of SICA (Singer Island Civic Association) “whose goal is to protect Singer Island and to ensure controlled and organized development. I believe there should be a balance between the developers and the residential community, so that we keep this little island charming.” Mrs. Davis is on the Planning and 24
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THOSE THAT CONTINUE ON THE MISSION GET WHAT THEY WANT
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MARIE DAVIS
Zoning Committee for the City of Riviera Beach and feels that “proper zoning is the key to prosperity.” She has done work with the Salvation Army and volunteers with a church in Riviera Beach who has been doing effective outreach. The fear of public speaking and public prayer at one point were two things that terrorized Davis but not anymore. She has overcome those fears. When asked what qualities a great leader should have, Mrs. Davis thinks a leader should be persistent. “Those that continue on the mission get what they want.” Mrs. Davis remembers the security she found in her grandmother and her aunts who were consistently supportive mentors in her life; they would turn to God in times of need. Davis would visit Singer Island as a kid and remembers a Singer Island of old; where there were dress shops, businesses; town- serving businesses “it was a community and we’ve lost that sense of community. I’d like to see Singer Island regain that sense of community and safety within the city.”
Diana DiMeo retired early from IBM Corporations as a Retail Industry Consultant, moving to Riviera Beach in 2000 from the Northeast. She and her husband, Gordon Rowse, moved to this area to be closer to family who are long-time residents of Riviera Beach. This area was familiar to Diana as it was a part of her IBM territory. Since moving here, DiMeo has shown her commitment to Riviera Beach over and over again. She serves on the board of the Sea Turtle Conservation League of Singer Island. For years she has walked our beach counting and caring for sea turtles and their hatchlings. Ms. DiMeo has also been very active in getting Riviera Beach Residents and tourists alike to discover this wonderful miracle that occurs on our beach every year. DiMeo has been very active in local politics, especially in the areas of fiscal responsibility, responsive government and managed growth. DiMeo is a founding member and Treasurer of the Riviera Beach Public Beach Coalition, a founding member of Citizens for Responsible Growth for Riviera Beach and a member of Committee for a Better Riviera Beach. As a member of the Music Festival Advisory Committee, she worked to make it financially sound, and was very successful in getting residents to “buy in” and come out to enjoy music on the beach. Diana and her husband have been a part of Habitat for Humanity’s program to build houses in this area. DiMeo has been named as one of Riviera Beach’s “Citizens of the Year” and honored as a 2012 ‘Shero’ by Riviera Beach.
DiMeo has been on the board of Yacht Harbor Manor’s homeowner’s association and is currently on the board of COASI (Community Officers Association of Singer Island) where she serves as Treasurer.
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Diana Gail DiMeo
I thInk he created a monster
When asked what quality every leader should have and who has contributed to her leadership style, DiMeo replied that a leader should have “a can do attitude, diligence, be positive and be willing to do any job that you ask someone else to do.” One of her managers at IBM had a hand in influencing her leadership style “he gave me free reign to take charge and be myself. He allowed me to step forward and get things done without asking ‘may I…?’ “He empowered me to become myself, I think he created a monster.” Recalling a personally difficult event in her life, DiMeo remembers having to manage the care and financial arrangements for her mother and aunts who were in failing health. “That was difficult to watch, these were people who were the strong people in your life and now you’ve switched roles.” As for the future of Singer Island, DiMeo would like to see the community completely cleaned up. “Less emphasis on height of buildings”, she foresees an attractive and eclectic City Center with little neighborhood stores.
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SONNY NARDULLI
to see a couple who he worked for at the time. While visiting, he was so impressed by Singer Island and Eastpointe Condominiums, that when it was his time to retire he thought of Singer Island. He and his wife looked at only two properties, one property in Jupiter and Eastpointe on Singer Island, he and his wife instinctively knew that there was only one place; Eastpointe. Mr. Nardulli did not attend college and married his wife of 51 years while he was very young. In search of a trade to go into he was hired by a typesetting and printing company in the lithography department and after 2 years he was the foreman of his department. One of the Vice Presidents, John Denzel, ventured out to start his own company in Crystal Lake, IL and asked Sonny to come along. Pool Brothers, the company he was leaving had about 500 employees; the company he was going to had 23. The new company Black Dot did the creative print production for a number of different companies including Sears, Kmart, and Marshall Fields. Within 10 years, with Sonny as the foreman the size of the company had quadrupled; “when I left we had a total of 1000 employees and were in 15 locations around the United States.” These days Mr. Nardulli spends his time helping others, 26
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I’VE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE IN MY LIFE; I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT FORTUNE IN MONEY, BUT FORTUNE IN HEALTH AND FAMILY
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Sonny Nardulli and his wife visited Singer Island in the ‘70s
he is the Past President of Eastpointe II and is a Board Member with an organization by the name Over the Rainbow, IL whose primary goal is to build housing for severely handicapped adults. “Many of these people are crippled and are not able to make it on their own; we support them by giving them apartments and homes to live in.” This type of work is very heartwarming to Nardulli; he is a Polio victim and realizes his great fortune, “This is a way to pay it back. I’ve been very fortunate in my life I’m not talking about fortune in money, but fortune in health and family and so on.” When asked what quality every leader should have Mr. Nardulli explains that every leader should be “humble, have an understanding of people and have passion.” He has been lucky in that regard “I’ve been very passionate about the work I’ve done since I started. Every day was an interesting day; there wasn’t a day I hated. I liked Monday as much as Friday and Saturday.” Sonny credits John Denzel as someone who has greatly impacted his life, “I’ve worked for him all of my life and he was not only my mentor but my personal friend.”
Beach Essentials
TASTE TIPS
L I P B A LM
YES IT IS IMPORTANT TO PROTECT YOUR LIPS FROM THE SUN.
T O T E BAG
WA T ER BO T T LE
CARRY YOUR BEACH ESSENTIALS IN THIS ROOMY TOTE. FIND THIS TOTE AT TASTEOFSINGERISLAND.COM
DRINKING WATER IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF STAYING HEAL THY. AVOID DEHYDRATION BY GETTING PLENTY OF FLUID
S U N S C RE E N
COVER UP
BRING ALONG A NICE COVER UP IN THE EVENT YOU HAVE TO STOP AND GRAB LUNCH OR RUN AN ERRAND BEFORE GOINGHOME AFTER A DAY OF FUN.
F L I P F LO P S
IT HELPS PREVENT SKIN CANCER. APPLY SUN SCREEN TO ALL EXPOSED SKIN USING 15 SPF OR GREATER. REAPPLY EVERY 2 HOURS EVEN ON CLOUDY DAYS AND AFTER SWIMMING OR SWEATING.
SUN GLASSES
YOUR FEET CAN BE BURNED BY WALKING ON VERY HOT SAND, ROADS, OR PAVING. FLIP FLOPS ARE A MUST AT THE BEACH.
DON’T FORGET YOUR EYES NEED PROTECTION FROM THE SUN TOO. WEAR SUNGLASSES WITH 100% UV PROTECTION. NOT ONLY DO THEY PROTECT YOUR EYES, THEY MAKE YOU LOOK COOL.
SNACKS
CONSIDER A HEALTHY SNACK THAT WILL FUEL YOUR BODY WITHOUT EXPANDING YOUR WAISTLINE. BAKED SNACKS ARE GREAT AND THEY WON’T WEIGH DOWN YOUR BEACH BAG
WIDE BRIMMED HA T
WEAR A HAT. LOOK FOR FULL COVERAGE HATS THAT WILL PROTECT YOUR FACE AND SCALP FROM SUNBURN
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FOR SOME QUIET TIME, SETTLE INTO SUNBATHING MODE WITH A GOOD LIGHT READ. TAKE ALONG A COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES OR YOUR FAVORITE MAGAZINE.
Bill Contole came to Singer Island
back when it was an “undeveloped property”; he found a lot, bought it and sat on it for awhile. He eventually built his home there after living on the mainland in Riviera Beach for about 6 years. Contole admits that he has always loved the water and the area and says that the city has always been “my home”.
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WE ARE ALL HERE TOGETHER AND WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER
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Bill Contole is a trial lawyer and has been practicing for 37 years. “I represent working people.” The majority of his work is helping people who typically have insurance claims, accident cases, workers compensation and just about anything that has to do with insurance companies. Currently, Mr. Contole is an active member with the Committee for a Better Riviera Beach, Youth Recreation Association, Youth Build, and President of Citizens for Responsible Growth. When asked what trait every leader should have, Mr. Contole responded that “every leader should have a vision for the future, an idea of what things will be like and try to keep focused.” Two leaders that Contole really respects are Herman McCray and Dan Calloway. Of McCray, Contole says that “he stood up and fought for what he thought was right” and of Calloway, Contole particularly admires the way that he “has done so much for people. Those two people are my inspiration. That’s who I give my time to, that’s what I believe in.” A difficult time that Contole remembers is his work with saving the public beaches. “That certainly took a few years off my life during that process because it was a consuming event that took every bit of energy I had.” He put an active law practice on hold to run the organization. “That was one of the most difficult and one of the most worthwhile 28
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BILL CONTOLE issues. The result was the beaches for everyone; hopefully forever. It is Bill Contole’s hope that over time “Singer Island will become more into Riviera Beach Mainstream life and Riviera Beach will assimilate more as the two communities realize that we are all here together and we all need to work together.”
ROGER AMIDON
Roger Amidon is a seasoned Palm Beacher. He and
his wife Tina of 26 years, moved to Palm Beach County 18 years ago from Vermont to manage the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott. Mr. Amidon has recently been recruited to Singer Island as the General Manager of the Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort and Spa. Amidon comes to Singer Island from his position as Executive Director at Tourist Development Council for Palm Beach where he worked with the Palm Beach County Board of City Commissioners and managed tourism-related agencies. His past experience also includes tenure as Area General Manager for Marriott Palm Beach Gardens, Boca Raton Residence and Fort Lauderdale Marriott North as well as General Manager for both the Sheraton at CityPlace and the Delray Beach Marriott. God Gave us two ears and one mouth to use them proportionately
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His experience in the tourism industry is extensive. Mr. Amidon says of his beginnings, “I fell into this business by chance.” Amidon tells a story of how it all got started “I submitted an application to work in the hotels housekeeping department. In the interview, I was asked why I wanted to work in housekeeping. I said, ‘because a buddy of mine works in housekeeping’.” Instead, he was hired to work at the front desk where he was told “this is where we check people in and we check people out.” Amidon was up for the challenge and fell in love with the business over 30 years ago. “I’ve been associated with 15 different hotels and four or five resorts.”
In addition to being the General Manager of the luxurious Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort and Spa, Amidon sits on the Board of Directors for the Northern Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce, Palm Beach Gardens 5 Star Advisory Council, Forest Hill Hospitality Advisory Council, is the Current President for the Palm Beach Chapter of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, appointed to the Board of Directors for SICA (Singer Island Civic Association), serves on the Board of Directors for Loggerhead Marine Life, named as Board Member for the Jupiter/Tequesta Athletic Association, and is Hal Valeche’s appointee to the Tourist Development Council for Palm Beach County. When asked what characteristics every leader should have, Mr. Amidon says that there are many attributes to being a good leader: being ethical is important, a leader needs to be someone who inspires others and being a great listener is important as a leader. “God gave us two ears and one mouth to use them proportionately.” Mr. Amidon credits his father, who was a firefighter for 35 years, as his first mentor and Dennis Wagner, a first time general manager who took a chance on Amidon, promoting him to a department head with no prior experience in such position. “We became the #1 Marriott Hotel for Guest Services for three years running.” These accomplishments did not come without difficulty. Mr. Amidon has overcome his battle with cancer and spends much of his time giving back to the communities and organizations that he is passionate about.
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Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce
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Inside the Bunker Built for President Kennedy BY: D R E A H I L L
he dingy, steel fallout shelter hastily built on Peanut Island is a clear reminder of the reality President John F. Kennedy faced from the first days of his presidency at the height of the Cold War. As the Kennedy family vacationed minutes away at the Palm Beach compound known as the Winter White House, the shelter ’s main chamber sat ready at a moment’s notice with 15 sets of bunk beds, a desk for the president and a conference table. This heavily protected hideaway, fully stocked with military K rations, barrels of water and radiation detection kits, could serve as home for at least 30 of Kennedy’s family and closest staff for a month in the event of a nuclear attack. “They tested bringing him here,” said Anthony Miller, general manager of Palm Beach Maritime Museum, which maintains the shelter. “It was 10 minutes from his front door on Palm Beach to the Bunker by boat.” Navy Seabees undertook “Operation Hotel” and in 10 days piled 25 feet of earth, lead and
concrete above the corrugated steel bunker. Getting to the fallout shelter ’s main living area required going through a series of narrow passages that held a generator, air pumps and filters, a radiation detector and a sterilization chamber. At the rear of the living area was an emergency escape hatch that led to a helipad in case the shelter itself came under attack. The island where it sits was dredged up from the Palm Beach inlet in 1918 to serve as a port for peanut oil shipping. Although that business failed, the name Peanut Island stuck since that was the original intent. It was closed to the public from the time the Coast Guard took it over in 1936 in preparation for World War II until 1995, when the museum secured a 45-year lease on the property. The museum opened to the public in 1999, and efforts to restore the bunker to its original condition continue.
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SENIORS SUN SAFETY By Michelle Kunz
SUN SAFETY IS NECESSARY FOR ALL OF US WHO EITHER LIVE OR VACATION IN SOUTH FLORIDA. BUT DID YOU KNOW THAT SENIORS ARE PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE TO SUN? 1. Seniors should avoid sun exposure if they are taking medications that might increase their sensitivity to the sun’s rays. Most adults know to stay out of the sun while taking antibiotics, but seniors are often taking other drugs that can cause sun sensitivity, including antidepressants, water pills, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) medications.
times a week on their faces and hands to get an adequate supply of vitamin D.
5. Besides getting sunburn from overexposure to the sun, seniors are at higher risk for cataracts, macular degeneration and skin cancer around the eyes. To decrease the chance of any of these things happening, the CDC recommends seniors wearing sun2. Seniors are less sensitive to heat and feeling thirsty than when glasses with brown, gray or green lenses, preferably with a wrap they were younger, making them more susceptible to heat stroke around the eyes to block more of the UV rays. and dehydration. For more information about sun safety, go to the Richard David 3. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the odds increase Kann Melanoma Foundation website at www.melanomafoundaas you age for getting skin cancer. Older white men are at par- tion.com or the Skin Cancer Foundation website at ticular risk, having the highest annual increase of any gender or www.skincancer.org. age group. 4. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is a myth that seniors need constant sun to supply their daily vitamin D needs. Actually, seniors need 15 minutes or less of sun exposure, with SPF 30 or higher sunscreen applied, two to three 32 TASTEOFSINGERISLAND.COM
Michelle Kunz owns Financial Care Management located on Singer Island. As a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA), she is dedicated to assisting seniors and their families with their financial, organizational and administrative activities of daily living. Michelle can be reached at mkunz@financialcaremgmt.com
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MAYOR THOMAS MASTERS, BRUCE A. GUYTON, JUDY L. DAVIS, CEDRICK A.THOMAS, DISTRICT 1
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DAWN S. PARDO, TERRANCE TD. DAVIS, RUTH C. JONES ,DANNY JONES DISTRICT 4
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TO
RIVIERA BEACH WELCOME TO RIVIERA BEACH
MAYOR THOMAS MASTERS, BRUCE A. GUYTON, JUDY L. DAVIS, CEDRICK A.THOMAS, DISTRICT 1
DISTRICT 2
DISTRICT 3
DAWN S. PARDO, TERRANCE TD. DAVIS, RUTH C. JONES ,DANNY JONES DISTRICT 4
DISTRICT 5
CITY MANAGER
DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
“Making a Better Riviera Beach” W W W. R I V I E R A B C H . C O M